Community Outreach

Manipur has been in the grip of communal violence since 03 May 23. Violent actions by both sides of the Meitei- Kuki divide had deepened the mistrust between the two communities. A physical chasm had been created due to the riots and unless the channels of communication were restored between the Kukis and Meiteis, the prevailing distrust would only widen further.

Between 08-10 May 2023, Lt Gen RP Kalita, UYSM,AVSM,SM, VSM, GOC-in-C Eastern Command and Lt Gen HS Sahi, AVSM, YSM, SM GOC Spear Corps met with community leaders from all parts of the state at Mantripukhri and urged them to leverage their influence to restore normalcy and endeavour peace between the communities in the larger interest of Manipur. Gen Kalita assured them of whole-hearted support of the Army and Assam Rifles in this endeavor.

Accordingly, the community leaders proposed to undertake confidence building measures that could bridge the divide. As a first step, society leaders from Meitei organisations led a convoy of Kuki community persons stranded in relief camps in Imphal to Churachandpur on 09 May. In a reciprocal gesture, Kuki leaders led a convoy of Meiteis stranded in Churachandpur to Imphal the same day. Similar arrangements were replicated from Imphal to Kangpokpi and Moreh the following day. Overall a total of 4271 people were provided safe passage between Imphal-Churachandpur, 4134 people between Imphal-Kangpokpi and 1175 people between Imphal-Moreh.